Trent Franks on Crime

Republican Representative (AZ-2)

Harsher penalties including “Three Strikes” law

I believe strongly in the three-time loser law that provides for life imprisonment for individuals convicted of a violent crime a third time. Those convicted for a second offense of criminal rape or child sexual abuse should face life imprisonment,
for the sake of society and for the sake of the offender. Studies have shown consistently that those convicted a second time of a sexual crime have more than a 95% chance of continued recidivism.

Voted NO on enforcing against anti-gay hate crimes.

Congressional Summary:Adopts the definition of "hate crime" as set forth in the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994: a crime in which the defendant intentionally selects a victim, or in the case of a property crime, the property that is the object of the crime, because of the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, or sexual orientation of any person. Provides technical, forensic, prosecutorial, or other assistance in the criminal investigation or prosecution of hate crimes, including financial grant awards.

Proponent's argument to vote Yes:Rep. JOHN CONYERS (D, MI-14):This bill expands existing Federal hate crimes law to groups who are well-known targets for bias-based violence--they are sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and disability. These crimes of violence are directed not just at those who are directly attacked; they are targeting the entire group with the
threat of violence.

Opponent's argument to vote No:Rep. LAMAR SMITH (R, TX-21): Every year thousands of violent crimes are committed out of hate, but just as many violent crimes, if not more, are motivated by something other than hate--greed, jealousy, desperation or revenge, just to name a few. An individual's motivation for committing a violent crime is usually complex and often speculative. Every violent crime is deplorable, regardless of its motivation. That's why all violent crimes should be vigorously prosecuted. Unfortunately, this bill undermines one of the most basic principles of our criminal justice system--equal justice for all. Under this bill, justice will no longer be equal. Justice will now depend on the race, gender, sexual orientation, disability or other protected status of the victim. It will allow different penalties to be imposed for the same crime. This is the real injustice.

Voted NO on expanding services for offenders' re-entry into society.

H.R.1593: Second Chance Act of 2007: Community Safety Through Recidivism Prevention or the Second Chance Act (Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass). To reauthorize the grant program for reentry of offenders into the community in the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, and to improve reentry planning and implementation.

Proponents support voting YES because:

Rep. CONYERS: Some 650,000 men and women are leaving the Federal and State prisons each year. While the vast majority of the prisoners are committed to abiding by the law and becoming productive members of society, they often encounter the same pressures & temptations that they faced before prison. More than two-thirds of them are arrested for new crimes within 3 years of their release. This exacts a terrible cost in financial terms as well as in human terms. The Second Chance Act will help provide these men and women with the training, counseling and other support needed to help them obtain
& hold steady jobs; to kick their drug and alcohol habits; rebuild their families; and deal with the many other challenges that they face in their efforts to successfully rejoin society.

Opponents recommend voting NO because:

Rep. GOHMERT: The programs that are sought to be renewed are ones we don't have information on how successful they were. I can tell you from my days as a judge, there was some anecdotal evidence that it looked like faith-based programs did a better job of dramatically reducing recidivism. In addition:

There are some provisions that allow for too much administration. That is going to build a bigger bureaucracy.

Dismissing all charges if someone completes drug rehab under another provision I think is outrageous. You are going to remove the hammer that would allow you to keep people in line?

We also have a provision to teach inmates how they can go about getting the most welfare before they leave prison and go out on their own.

Reduce recidivism by giving offenders a Second Chance.

Franks co-sponsored reducing recidivism by giving offenders a Second Chance

Recidivism Reduction and Second Chance Act of 2007

Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to expand provisions for adult and juvenile offender state and local reentry demonstration projects to provide expanded services to offenders and their families for reentry into society.

Directs the Attorney General to award grants for:

state and local reentry courts;

Comprehensive and Continuous Offender Reentry Task Forces;

pharmacological drug treatment services to incarcerated offenders;

technology career training for offenders;

mentoring services for reintegrating offenders into the community;

pharmacological drug treatment services to incarcerated offenders;

prison-based family treatment programs for incarcerated parents of minor children; and

a study of parole or post-incarceration supervision violations and revocations.

Constitutional Amendment defining victims' rights.

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to protect the rights of crime victims.

Congressional Summary:Prohibits denial or abridgement of the rights of a crime victim to fairness, respect, and dignity. Grants a crime victim the right:

to not be excluded from public proceedings relating to the offense;

to be heard at any release, plea, sentencing, or other such proceeding;

to proceedings free from unreasonable delay;

to reasonable notice of the release or escape of the accused;

to due consideration of the crime victim's safety and privacy; and

to restitution.

Grants the crime victim, or the victim's lawful representative, standing to fully assert and enforce such rights in any court.

Opponent's argument against bill: (Testimony of Prof. Robert P. Mosteller before the House Subcommittee):

The infamous police brutality case of Rodney King in Los Angeles provides an example of the problematic nature of
giving special trial rights to victims. But for the videotape shot by a neighbor of the beating administered by the police to King, King was on his way to being charged with assault on police officers. In this prosecution, the true perpetrators would hav